Mushing

After a multi-year hiatus, The Dog Driver is back. In this episode, Robert Forto and Kourosh Partow explain why they decided to revive the podcast and why the timing matters for the future of mushing and dog-powered sports.The conversation looks back at the original Dog Driver series, which featured over 200 guests from around the world, and explores how the sport has changed in recent years.Topics include the growth of dryland racing, the decline in traditional open-class participation, the role of local clubs such as the Chugiak Dog Mushers Association, and the challenges of maintaining trails, races, and community in a changing sport.This episode lays the foundation for The Dog Driver's new direction, focusing on sprint mushing, dryland racing, real people in the sport, and keeping the fire alive for the next generation of dog drivers.The Mushing podcast is made possible by Mushing+ subscribers. Learn more about all the benefits of a subscription and subscribe now at mushing.com/mushingplus Our fans would love to learn more about you. Fill out our Musher Q & A hereDo you have a story idea or a pitch for a podcast? Check it out hereTrail Bytes 2025Facebook | X | InstagramLove the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and shareSign up for our Newsletter HEREWe would love to hear your feedback about the show!You can contact us here: [email protected]

Dryland mushing isn’t just for Alaska. In this episode of Mushing, Robert Forto interviews Christine Taylor and Alexandra Crossett, two competitive mushers from New Jersey who are proving that dog-powered sports can thrive far from traditional sled dog country.Christine and Alexandra explain how they discovered the sport, the early dogs who started it all, and how their local club, the Jersey Sands Sled Dog Racing Association, helped them move from recreational runs to the IFSS Dryland World Championships. They share what training looks like in the Pine Barrens, why some trails won’t allow bikes, the impact of weather on racing conditions, and the community support that got their teams to a global event.They also talk about:Bikejor, scooter, and rig racingTraining before dawn and after dark to protect dog healthTrail access issues and laws impacting the sportThe gear they never run without (helmets and eye protection)How climate and race logistics will shape the future of mushingGrowing canine sports for new pet owners and working breedsWhether you're a racer, adventurer, or curious dog enthusiast, this is a powerful inside look at the evolving world of dryland mushing.The Mushing podcast is made possible by Mushing+ subscribers. Learn more about all the benefits of a subscription and subscribe now at mushing.com/mushingplus Our fans would love to learn more about you. Fill out our Musher Q & A hereDo you have a story idea, or pitch a podcast? Check it out hereTrail Bytes 2025Facebook | X | InstagramLove the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and shareSign up for our Newsletter HEREWe would love to hear your feedback about the show!You can contact us here: [email protected]

What does it take to represent Mexico on the world stage of dryland mushing? In this episode, we talk with Elly Lugo, a CaniCross and scooter musher who traveled from central Mexico to compete at the Dryland World Championships in Minocqua, Wisconsin. Elly is a mom of three, a former marathon runner, and a dedicated athlete building the future of dog-powered sports in her region.She shares how she qualified for Team Mexico, how the public is learning to understand mushing, the breeds her family runs (GSPs, Eurohounds, a Border Collie, and a Golden Retriever), and what’s next as Mexico prepares to host the Continental Championships in November 2026.If you care about spreading the sport, building community, and running dogs with heart, you’ll love this conversation.The Mushing podcast is made possible by Mushing+ subscribers. Learn more about all the benefits of a subscription and subscribe now at mushing.com/mushingplus Our fans would love to learn more about you. Fill out our Musher Q & A hereDo you have a story idea, or pitch a podcast? Check it out hereTrail Bytes 2025Facebook | X | InstagramLove the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and shareSign up for our Newsletter HEREWe would love to hear your feedback about the show!You can contact us here: [email protected]

Former Air Force pilot turned musher Konrad Jakob joins us from the IFSS Dryland Championships in Wisconsin to talk about the rapid growth of dog mushing in Chile, Argentina, Colombia, and across Latin America. Konrad shares how he launched sled dog tours in the Andes, helped expand IFSS participation, and what to expect from the 2026 Pan-American Championship in Mexico.The Mushing podcast is made possible by Mushing+ subscribers. Learn more about all the benefits of a subscription and subscribe now at mushing.com/mushingplus Our fans would love to learn more about you. Fill out our Musher Q & A hereDo you have a story idea, or pitch a podcast? Check it out hereTrail Bytes 2025Facebook | X | InstagramLove the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and shareSign up for our Newsletter HEREWe would love to hear your feedback about the show!You can contact us here: [email protected]

In this episode of Mushing, Robert Forto sits down with returning guest Joy Weis, a canicross athlete, coach, and founder of the Friends of Oso Foundation. Joy shares how she got started in dog-powered sports, what makes a great canicross dog, what new athletes should know before entering their first race, and why the sport is more accessible than most people think. She also dives into her coaching work through Lucky Fox Coaching, explaining how she trains canicross teams, cyclists, runners, and multi-sport athletes using a data-informed, holistic approach. Joy breaks down the TrainingPeaks system she uses to review athlete metrics like pace, sleep, heart rate, and training load. The conversation shifts to the emotional origin of the Friends of Oso Foundation, which was created to honor her rescue husky and canicross partner, Oso. Joy discusses how the foundation provides grants to northern breed rescues to address immediate needs, such as food, medical care, and transportation, as well as resources like marketing and campaign materials. She closes with practical advice for anyone curious about dog-powered sports: start small, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to get involved. Whether you’re exploring canicross, considering a coach, or looking for ways to support northern breed rescue, this episode will give you a clear place to start.The Mushing podcast is made possible by Mushing+ subscribers. Learn more about all the benefits of a subscription and subscribe now at mushing.com/mushingplus Our fans would love to learn more about you. Fill out our Musher Q & A hereDo you have a story idea, or pitch a podcast? Check it out hereTrail Bytes 2025Facebook | X | InstagramLove the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and shareSign up for our Newsletter HEREWe would love to hear your feedback about the show!You can contact us here: [email protected]